Disclaimer: I do not own Arrow.

Merlyn Global, next day

morning

"So, any idea what this is all about?" Sara asked Slade and Shado as they moved down the hall.

"No, we just got a call and were told Mr. Merlyn wanted us to meet him this morning." Shado said with Slade nodding sharply in agreement.

The trio walked inside Malcolm's office and saw Malcolm looking out the window. Once Slade closed the door behind them, Malcolm turned around and they were all struck by the grave look on his face.

"Thank you all for coming." Malcolm said as he faced them.

"what is this about Merlyn?" Slade demanded and Malcolm paused for a moment.

"Oliver is alive." Malcolm told them and they stared at him stunned.

"Is this some kind of sick joke?" Sara demanded angrily and Malcolm shook his head.

"I wish it were. Tell me, what do you three know about the League of Assassins?" Malcolm asked and Slade scoffed.

"It's a myth." Slade said causing Sara and Shado to look at him confused.

"What's a myth?" Shado inquired.

"Back when I was with ASIS, I came across a group that told me a legend: There's a group of assassin that appear and vanish like shadows. But it's just an urban legend." Slade dismissed and Malcolm chuckled.

"The Mirakuru was once dismissed as an urban legend, was it not Detective Lance?" Malcolm asked snidely.

"So you think Oliver is a prisoner of the League?" Shado tried to play peace maker.

"No. I saw him yesterday and he's...one of them." Malcolm said and the trio stared at stunned.

"You're insane." Slade said after a moment.

"This is not a game!" Malcolm shouted and the woman jumped at the unexpected outburst while Slade simply looked surprised, "Oliver is alive and he is one of them, I've seen it with my own eyes!"

"You were one of them," Slade said after a moment causing Shado and Sara to look at him stunned, "That's why you're so afraid, why you're so sure they exist. You were once a member of the League."

"Yes," Malcolm admitted after a moment, "My wife was murdered when Tommy and Oliver were young. I left Starling City in search of purpose and I eventually found my way to the League. I spent time in their service before we parted ways on good terms and I returned home."

"And you saw Oliver?" Shado asked for clarification.

"I consider Oliver as much a son as Tommy. It was him Ms. Fei." Tommy assured her.

"Why are you telling us this?" Sara demanded.

"Because The League is coming. And they won't care about collateral damage." Malcolm warned.

"Why would they be coming for this city?" Slade growled.

Nanda Parbat

same time

Ra's and Oliver clashed swords several times before Oliver whirled around and struck him in the side with his sword. Ra's gasped in pain as Oliver pried the sword out of his hand. Oliver crossed the swords and held them to Ra's neck.

"Dead." Oliver said coolly.

"Well done Al-Sah-Him," Ra's said as Oliver handed his sword back to him, "you have now surpassed me. You are nearly ready to lead."

"Thank you my liege." Oliver said blankly.

"Dismissed." Ra's said as he walked over to the pit.

Oliver nodded and departed the room. Oliver made his way through the castle and made his way to his chambers. As he closed the door behind him, he spotted Nyssa standing the center of the room. She turned around as he approached her.

"So how was your spar with my father?" Nyssa asked as he reached her.

"I won." Oliver said simply and she nodded.

"How are you? I know it cannot have been...easy to be home after so long and not see your loved ones." Nyssa asked concern as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I would be lying if I said I didn't miss them," Oliver admitted, "but the best way to keep them safe is to stay away and act like they mean nothing to me. At least for the time being."

Merlyn Global

same time

"So this Undertaking you called it, is some plan to save the city?" Sara asked curiously.

"It's best you don't know the details but Ra's would not approve. If he finds out about The Undertaking, he will kill everyone involved and their families." Malcolm warned.

"I am still not sure why this involves us." Shado said confused.

"Moira is involved. Which makes her and Thea targets should Ra's find out." Malcolm told them and they stared at him stunned.

"Oliver would never go after his family." Shado protested and Malcolm barked a humorless laugh.

"Even if I agreed with you, Oliver is only one assassin. Ra's has many at his disposal." Malcolm told them.

"Then we need someone on the inside. Let's find Oliver and I'll beat some sense into him." Slade said and Malcolm sighed.

"It won't work. Mr. Wilson, you may be former ASIS, but Oliver has spent the last three years being trained by the people who make ASIS look like a high school football team. You won't be able to reach him that way." Malcolm explained.

"Then what do you suggest?" Sara asked frustrated.

"We need to buy some time, spend Ra's on a wild goose chase. And while we do, we need to try and reach Oliver beneath the assassin he has become." Malcolm told them.

So, what do you think? Please leave any thoughts or comments in a review, feedback is greatly appreciated.